ML is textbook abusive. He controls what the protagonist wears, what she eats, how she spends her time, etc. The author explained in the later half of the novel that ML acted that way due to his worries for her. The novel explained that ML wanted her to eat seafood because her nails constantly break due to stress, not eat junk food because she eats a lot of it and is picky, wants her to wear pink because he wants her to be his spoiled princess and be an overbearing person who relies on him because she never had that, etc. He doesn’t believe her when she “rebels” (aka expressing her true thoughts and opinions). They truly don’t communicate.

Later on in the novel, he realizes and understands that she simply doesn’t like seafood or dressing in pink. He kept on controlling her without asking about her likes and dislikes, and when he was finally put in her shoes, he cried and was sad over how much of his actions she must’ve endured.

But honestly, it doesn’t erase what he did and how he ab*sed her for few years. Not only did they lack communication, they had an unbalanced power dynamic and she felt unsafe/uncomfortable to say what she really feels. He also didn’t listen or hear her out, or cared about her true likes/dislikes, and assumed her needs. He didn’t respect her as an individual with personal freedom.

As for the ending, the protagonist ends up with the ML at the end of the novel. They get back together after some time apart and the protagonist can stand on her own two feet. They both communicate better, discuss their insecurities, and try to be better for each other. It’s kind of a wife-chasing crematorium, but not really filled with tragedy? It’s training wheels crematorium.

"I won't go back anymore. You can throw away everything I left behind there. I've already submitted my resignation application to HR. Whether you hire new people or not, I'll automatically resign after 30 days."

Su Tao's gentle voice sounded particularly harsh at this moment.

He took a step forward, grabbed her small face with one hand, pinching her cheeks on both sides, and lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him.

"Little Peach, " his outburst was somewhat exhausted, like an aging hero who wanted to take up his sword but had no strength. "Aren't you afraid of making me angry?"

He does explain why he wants her to eat seafood and wear pink but they're s*upid reasons. Like more calcium intake because her nails are brittle and because she looks good in pink. I'm sure there's other ways to get calcium and she probably looks good in other clothes than pink too.

It's unclear why he's this way, but hers stems from childhood trauma and feeling like she's never first in someone's heart. So she was actually ok before with him being so controlling because it was... kinda proof that he cared about her so much to obsess like that. It made her feel secure. Until she misunderstood (thanks to the most s*upid gossips in the company) that she wasn't the only one he obsessed over. At that point she refuses to accept it and leaves. And yes, he's controlling and annoying AF to a normal person, but because she never resisted his arrangements, it really never occurred to him that she had any contrary wishes, so he didn't believe it when she expressed them. He enjoyed arranging her life and assumed she didn't object, and got more and more controlling as a result. Basically they were on totally different wavelengths - she spent 4 years going along with what he wanted, then suddenly quit and he couldn't figure out what happened. This isn't actually uncommon, just a very extreme example of what happens if you suppress your true thoughts too much. She ends up being a strong character - sometimes a little too strong for my taste. Contrary to other reviews, she doesn't just roll over as an agent. She is meticulous in courtesies to make connections, yields when necessary, and fights for her rights when called for. She also decisively crushes her enemies when that's the best option. In an industry where networking is everything, she is an EQ master - except in her personal life, which is one aspect I find unrealistic. The whole Jiang Qi mess was totally unnecessary.

He was obnoxiously clingy and emotional, but that's kind of the point of the story. Kinda cute in a way though IRL it'd be annoying AF. Their reconciliation was a bit abrupt in some ways

Regarding ML's white moonlight, there's none and it's not true that FL actually not substitution. Previous secretary Qin actually the one who liked ML (but he didn't) and been following ML's preferences and even made similar bracelet to ML's family heir. Also, other co-workers tried to dramatize details to hurt FL bc she promoted easily even with lack of experience.